Ingredients

• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. 1Bring water to a boil in a saucepan — 5 minutes
2. 2Stir in salt and grits, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally — 20 minutes
3. 3Remove grits from heat and stir in cheddar cheese until melted — 2 minutes
4. 4In a skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy — 5 minutes
5. 5Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, leaving drippings in the skillet — 1 minute
6. 6Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet, sauté until softened — 4 minutes
7. 7Add garlic, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper, sauté for an additional minute — 1 minute
8. 8Add shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque — 3 minutes
9. 9Stir in lemon juice and cooked bacon, cook for another minute — 1 minute
10. 10Serve shrimp mixture over grits, garnished with parsley — 1 minute